The pharma industry is hoping that litigation might end Medicare price negotiation before it begins. But a House hearing also starts the process of developing legislative improvements that might be viable in years to come – starting with trying to restore the lifespan of small molecules.

Positive tandem ICER reviews for bluebird bio’s and Vertex/CRISPR’s gene therapies show the impact that concerns about addressing racial inequities could create a favorable context for products as they enter pricing and coverage discussions.

Robert Califf’s nomination to return as FDA commissioner will raise protests about a ‘revolving door’ pathway between industry and agency. But, in this case, it may be more apt to talk about how Califf’s time outside FDA led to evolving views on the role of big data in drug regulation.

Two outside groups aim to help CBER on gene therapy questions from ‘N of one’ to markers for hemophilia.

US Senate hearing on pharmaceutical competition brought renewed interest to idea of pruning so-called ‘patent thickets.’ But the choking growth of legislative proposals may itself by hampering progress on Capitol Hill.

Upcoming budget proposal likely to include a proposal for funding of a DARPA-like contracting entity. Any focus on innovations and breakthroughs is likely welcome news for industry – though perhaps not the message that government is taking on work that drug companies can’t or won’t do.